Twitter Updates

Have you been injured?

About the brand: Coppola - Copomon Enterprises, LLC

Coppola hair smoothing products are sold under the brand Keratin Complex. The company claims their
products do not use formaldehyde but use another aldehyde TImonacic acid. Twenty test results by eight different organizations indicate the presence of formaldehyde typically between 1.5-2% and numerous products have been recalled in Australia, Canada, Cyprus, France, Germany and Ireland. Peter Copolla filed a US patent application (US 2009/0211593) in April 2009 for a keratin hair treatment that is comprised of Keratin reacted with an aldehyde, being formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde or another aldehyde with nine or fewer carbons.

Products by Coppola - Copomon Enterprises, LLC

Product

Formaldehyde testing results

Injuries: Number of consumers that filed reports with the federal government

COMPANY STATEMENTS ON FORMALDEHYDE OR ALTERNATIVES IN ITS PRODUCT(S)

"In addition to the Keratin, our formula includes Timonacic acid, a benign antioxidant patented in France which is part of an aldehyde group that is used in hair products and acts as an organic preservative. ... The difference between Brazilian straightening companies that add free formaldehde as an ingredient and Keratin Complex's bonded aldehydes is that the latter is not harmful."

INJURIES: CLIENT/SALON WORKER INJURIES REPORTED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Consumers or salon workers filed at least [27] reports of adverse events (injuries) from using hair straighteners, according to documents provided by the Food and Drug Administration in response to EWG's Freedom of Information Act request.

WHAT THE COMPANY SAYS ABOUT HOW THEIR PRODUCT WORKS

This revolutionary smoothing system infuses Keratin deep into the hair cuticle, eliminating up to ninety-five percent of frizz and curl and leaving the hair smooth, shiny and luxurious. Results typically last 3 to 5 months depending on hair type. [link]

AVAILABLE FOR DIRECT PURCHASE BY CONSUMERS?

A loophole in federal labeling law allows companies to sell "professional use" products without the ingredient label required on all other personal care products, so the use of formaldehyde can be hidden. Nearly all of the hair straightening products surveyed by EWG are marketed for professional use only. Despite these claims, EWG found that consumers can easily purchase "professional use" products through online retailers. Retailers identified for Coppola - Copomon Enterprises, LLC products are listed below:

Coppola - Copomon Enterprises, LLC - unspecified

Legal Disclaimer:

The conclusions and findings that appear on this page reflect EWG's research at the time of publication stated above. In light of evolving market conditions, subsequent product reformulations, and other factors, they may no longer be current. EWG makes no representations or warranties about any of the products that appear on this page. EWG hereby disclaims all warranties with regard to any of the products that appear on this page, including express, statutory, implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use.

AFSSAPS 2010. French Agency for the Safety of Health Products. Notice of the French Agency for Safety of Health Products concerning the health risks of exposure to formaldehyde in some smoothing hair cosmetics.” Available: http://bit.ly/fDLJF2 Accessed: 1/6/2011.

Fisher M 2007. Scared Strait Warning: A hot new hair-straightening treatment from Brazil could be a health hazard. But that hasn’t stopped people from performing it. Allure. Available: http://www.allure.com/magazine/2007/10/scared_straight Accessed: 1/6/2011.